Philippines, 27 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


NBA -- Gortat rescues Wizards from Pelicans, 83-80


PhilBoxing.com




CHICAGO -- John Wall and Bradley Beal, one of the NBA's deadliest backcourt duos, missed a combined 15 shots and mustered only 23 points between them as the Washington Wizards produced their lowest output of the season on Saturday night.

But the Wizards somehow escaped with a narrow 83-80 decision at the Verizon Center, thanks to an unlikely hero, center Marcin Gortat, who was stellar on both ends of the floor.

Gortat came to Washington's rescue with 24 points and 13 rebounds. The 6-foot-11, 240-pound bruiser from Poland was also solid on defense, anchoring a resistance that held to Pelicans to just 30 of 81 from the field, a porous 37 percent clip.

"I was in the right spots. I tried to find open space, be productive, be more aggressive and more physical," said the 30-year old Gortat told the Washington Post.

Gortat, a former Magic who helped Orlando march into the 2009 NBA Finals, losing to Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers in five games, made 12 of 20 shots and had four blocks. He also had a pair of assists and two steals in 41 minutes of action.

All-Star Anthony Davis was the only bright spot for New Orleans with 30 points and 13 boards. His dunk with 3:47 left to play gave the Pelicans a 77-76 advantage. But the Wiz held them to three points the rest of the way to hang on with the triumph.

The Pelicans, who owns the league's 5th most efficient offense, was held to only 12 assists while committing 12 turnovers. The Wiz, on the other hand, lathered their offense with 26 dimes and limited their miscues to nine.

The victory thrust the 10-5 Wizards to second place in the Eastern Conference, just 2 1/2 games behind the 13-3 Toronto Raptors, who recently lost All-Star DeMar DeRozan indefinitely due to a torn tendon in the groin.

With their third straight debacle, the Pelicans fell to 7-8 and 10th place in the more competitive Western Conference. (Homer D. Sayson)

Photo: Wizards center Marcin Gortat (middle) powered his way to 24 points and 13 rebounds to help Washington edge the New Orleans Pelicans, 83-80, at the Verizon Center on Saturday night.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Ocum is WBC Asian lightweight champ
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • Kingsley “The Black Lion” Ibeh Believes he will stop Jarrell Miller this Saturday at Madison Square Garden
    , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • David Ray Sarmiento finishes second place in Cologne January Blitz 2026.
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 27 Jan 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 25 JANUARY 2026: Raymund Muratalla Edges Andy Cruz; Walsh Outpoints Ocampo
    By Eric Armit, , Mon, 26 Jan 2026
  • MFPI 5th Mindanao Summit at Mt. Apo on February 19-22
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 26 Jan 2026
  • OLYMPIC BOXING 8: 1948 OLYMPICS AT LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Mon, 26 Jan 2026
  • Golden Gloves Launches on Meta Quest Store, Establishing the First Official Esports Competition Pathway for Amateur Boxing
    , Mon, 26 Jan 2026
  • Andy Cruz vs Raymond Muratalla: Who Will Execute?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Libranza to fight undefeated Tso for IBF Pan Pacific bantam
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Filipino Cue Artist RJ Bautista Ready to Shine at the Las Vegas Open 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • MURATALLA VS. CRUZ WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER
    , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels
    , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Ballesteros not yet ready against Ocum
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Chocolatito Gonzalez to undergo shoulder surgery
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • NM Nika finishes Sixth in Czech Republic Blitz chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • The Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo RETURNS! Saturday May 2, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
    , Sat, 24 Jan 2026
  • Donaire back in Cebu
    By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 23 Jan 2026
  • MURATALLA VS. CRUZ IN LAS VEGAS FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 23 Jan 2026
  • Four Pinoys in line for title shots
    By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 23 Jan 2026
  • After the meeting in Mexico City, the WBC is ready for 2026
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 23 Jan 2026
  • Former world title challenger Jerry Belmontes Returns to ring at home after nearly a decade in Retirement on January 31 in Texas
    , Fri, 23 Jan 2026
  • SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT RONNY ALVAREZ TRAINING CAMP NOTES
    , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • STRICKLAND STUNS REYES AS SOUQUET SEALS REDEMPTION | WNT LEGENDS
    , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • Knicks defeats Nets 120-66 to post largest margin of victory in franchise history
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • Mauricio Sulaiman: "We simply urge Zuffa Boxing to respect and protect boxing and the boxer"
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 22 Jan 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.